Exodus 40:32

Modern

They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Traditional

When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Literal

Whenever they went into the Tent of Meeting and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as YHWH had commanded Moses.

Latin

…cum ingrederentur tectum fœderis, et accederent ad altare, sicut præceperat Dominus Moysi.

Hebrew

English

They washed whenever they entered the Tent of Meeting or approached the altar, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The report on setting up the Tent of Meeting starts with the Lord's commands (40:1–15). It continues with how Moses obeyed those commands (40:16–33).
The repeated statement that "Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded" (40:16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 32) strongly contrasts with Aaron’s self-serving statement in 32:22–24. God wants to share his presence with us, but his holiness requires us to give up our own efforts to secure his presence and gifts.

Theme notes and profiles

Exodus 30:19–20
…with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet.
Exodus 40:19
Then he spread the tent over the tabernacle and put the covering over the tent, just as the LORD had commanded him.
Psalm 73:19
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt